Medicated-vapor bath



' (No Model.)

L. .SOHULZE.

MEDICATED VAPOR BATH. No. 280,675. Patented July 3, 1883.

n PETERS. vvvvv Lilhogmphan Washinglen, o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

LOUIS SCHUIJZE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MEDlCATED-VAPOR BATH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 280,675, dated July 3, 1883.

ADDllGfltlOII filed February 6. 83. (N model.)

My invention relates to improvements in that class of vapor-baths in which the medicines are imparted to the body of a patient in a vaporized state after the'patient has received a bath of superheated or dry steam, by which the pores of the skin have been opened; and the object is to introduce into the system of patients, especially those afflicted with rheumatism, dropsy, neuralgia, and all other diseases originating from the blood, the medicated vapors mixed with steam in a more thorough and efficient manner than has been heretofore done by appliances known to me. The invention consists in surrounding the patient with an airtight covering or casing, made of india=rubber, oil-cloth, or other airtight-material, the lower edges of said covering being inserted in a trough containing water and forming a water-seal, while the upper part is closely tied around the neck of the patient, and in supporting said covering by a suitable frame of wires or tubes. Into the space formed in this covering is introduced the superheated steam from a boiler, and preferably containing salt-water, and after the patient is in complete perspiration introducing the medicines or compounds vaporized in a separate boiler, and allowing them to mingle with the superheated steam.

- It also consists of certain details of construction and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described hereinafter, and more;

specifically pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and the letters of reference marked thereon,

In the drawing the figure represents a sectional elevation representing my invention.

In said drawing, A is aplatform of suitable size, provided with an annular gutter or.

trough, a, for containing water, and forming a water-seal. This platform is covered with zinc, and upon it is placed a chair or seat, upon which the patient is seated. A covering or casing, 13, made of rubber, oil-cloth, or other air-tight material, is then placed around the patient, forming a space around him, and secured in suitable manner around his neck, while the lower edges of the covering are inserted into the trough, so as to prevent the escape of any vapor. A steam-boiler, O, heated in any suitable manner to generate steam, is connected by a pipe, 0, to a smaller superheating-boiler, D, by which the steam is thoroughly dried and superheated, and it passes thence through a pipe, d, into the space within the covering. A tight joint is made where the pipe d enters said covering, and is provided with a suitable valve, e. The end of the pipe d within the covering is bent downward, to prevent the steam passing against the body of the patient. The steam in the boiler is generated preferably from sea-water. The medicines or medical compounds which are intended to be applied to the body of the patient are then vaporized in a separate boiler, E, and after the patient has got into a thorough perspiration the medicated vapors are also introduced, by means of a pipe, f, provided with a valve, 9, into the space formed by the covering and thoroughly mingled with the superheated steam, and its effects are imparted to the patient. Some of the medicines I employ are sulphur, phosphorus, hartshorn, and lime, although any other medical compounds may be employed contained within the space in the covering to,

escape, as it is displaced by the steam entering it.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination of an air-tight covering supported 011 a suitable frame with a platform provided with a water-trough, into which the lower ends of the covering dip to form a water seal, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of a stcanrgenerating boiler, O, and a superheating-boiler, 1), having pipes c and d, with an air-tight covering, B, surrounding the patient, and a platform, A, provided with a trough, a, to form a waterseal, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of a steam-generating boiler, G, and a superheating-boiler, D, having pipes c and (I, with a boiler, E, for generating medicated vapors, and an air-tight covering, B, surrounding the patient, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

-.l-. The combination of a steanrgenerating boiler, C, and a super renting-boiler, D, having pipes c d, with. a boiler, E, for generating medicated vapors, an air-tight covering, 13, surroninling the patient and arranged to be inserted into a water-trough, a, on the platform A, substantially specified.

In testimony whereof I hereby affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS SCHTULZE. 

